New Kid on the Block: Cache County School District Opens New High School

Make room, there’s a new kid on the block! Ridgeline High School opened its doors to students in August, kicking off the 2016-17 school year with just over 1400 students, grades 9-12. Cache Valley residents and students had the opportunity to get a first look at Ridgeline during an open house and dedication Aug. 9.

Parker Bernhardt, student body president of Ridgeline, said the new building provides a better learning environment for students. “I’m excited for all the opportunities students will have at Ridgeline,” he said. “The new school looks so inviting. It makes you want to be there, and will be a great place to learn.”

Staff also look forward to creating a unique school culture at Ridgeline. Kaye Lyn Harris, department head of the Ridgeline social studies department, is excited to be a part of the school’s first formative year.

“The students are excited to start a new school with new traditions, a new mascot and new colors,” she said. She also anticipates the smaller population provides more opportunities for students to get involved.

Principal Bob Henke shares the enthusiasm. When asked what he is looking forward to he said, “I’m most excited about getting the staff and students together and seeing the school take off.”

The concept for a new high school began in 2013 when a bond committee reviewed the future needs of Cache County’s growing student body. Their recommendation was to change the grade configuration in the high schools to 9-12 and build two new high schools; one in Millville and one in North Logan. This new grade configuration allows for the more balanced growth across four high schools and provides increased opportunities for students.

Blake Wright, president of Design West, a local company who designed the new high school, said, “It’s gratifying to see so much hard work come together in this beautiful facility. Cache County School District has been a great partner throughout the design. They have been very sensitive to the communities where these schools are located. As some of our employees’ children, including my own, will attend the new high school, it has been an absolute thrill to see and hear of the excitement ‘in the neighborhood’ as Ridgeline has come on line.”

Construction is well underway on Green Canyon High School in North Logan, which is set to open August 2017.